by Karen Clow
“As long as mum and Billy are here, I think it’ll be ok, that is of course providing the babies are all ok. You’ve been so good with this pregnancy Mickey, I think you deserve a night out, just don’t go gambling the restaurant or Dixie’s.”
“Don’t worry babe, I’m not that stupid. Although truth be told, I wish now that it had been me who gambled the club for you, instead of Jimmy. If I’d have known then what I know now, I would have done.”
“What a lovely thing to say.”
“I mean it, still it’s true what they say, the best things in life are worth waiting for and, like I’ve said before babe, you’re stuck with me we’re soul mates. Now shift over and give me a cuddle!”
CHAPTER 36
Danny Monk was moving a few personal things into the Sheridan house that Saturday. Since the demise of Nathan he had moved up the ranks to become Davy’s bodyguard. He’d waited patiently for it to happen, having previously worked for Dave senior for six years. Danny was well aware that young Davy was a different kettle of fish to his granddad. Dave senior had respected Danny, but not enough to promote him, basically because he always had his doubts about him, despite Dave senior knowing he was loyal. Like his father before him, Danny was well known as a hot head and often referred to as a psycho. In many ways his quick temper was not unlike Jimmy’s, which was why he’d never been promoted, but now Davy needed protection and without a doubt Danny could handle himself, never in his life had he backed down from a fight.
Despite moving into Nathan’s old room, Danny decided to keep his flat on, just in case things didn’t work out. While unpacking, he caught sight of himself in the mirror.
Smiling at his own reflection he said, “This is it Danny boy, you’re on your way up!”
Danny got on well with Davy, although it could be said that in general he had no time for gays, but in Davys case he made an exception. Davy’s lover Sebastian was an entirely different thing; he really thought of him as a queer. At least Davy was tough and definitely ruthless and he certainly didn’t come across as gay, but Sebastian was very camp, he even looked feminine. Danny certainly wasn’t comfortable in his presence; not only did he find him infuriating, but also a bit unnerving. Although he never let his feelings show, that could cost him the promotion and he wasn’t about to jeopardise it for a bent ballet dancer.
Davy was sitting at the breakfast bar in the kitchen when Danny joined him downstairs.
“Settling in ok?” asked Davy.
“Just finished boss, I came down for a drink.”
“Help yourself after all you’re going to be living here.”
“Fancy joining me for one boss?”
“I’ll have a small one. I’m going out this afternoon with Seb. I think I’ve found the ideal place for a dance studio.”
“Do you need me to go with you?”
“No, but I will need you tonight, I’ve got some business at the club later. I’m not expecting any trouble, but you never know.”
Danny knew the business he was referring to was a meeting with Mehmet Azir a Turkish boss. The Turk travelled between Britain and Turkey always accompanied by several heavies. His personal guard and closest friend was a big bald Turk called Emir, whom he trusted implicitly. Mehmet owned clubs and brothels mainly in the north, but his biggest game was drugs. He had the means to move anything from anywhere in the world, having many big connections. Some years back he had approached Jimmy about business; Mickey had made it clear at the time that they weren’t interested. Mehmet had made the mistake of offering Jimmy a ten year old girl as a gesture of his sincerity. Had Mickey and Tony not been there, things could have turned very nasty. Especially when Jimmy called him a perverted dirty Turk and threatened him that if he ever offered him a child again, he would beat him to death.
Davy picked Sebastian up from his sister’s dance studio around half four. He was taking him to look at a large vacant warehouse which he hoped would be ideal for a dance studio. After driving for thirty minutes they pulled up outside. Sebastian’s first words were that it was a bit off the beaten track. Although he was sure there wouldn’t be shortage of students; he just hoped they would travel that far out. Davy suggested he reserved judgement until he’d seen inside.
The moment they entered the building, he noticed Seb’s face change to one of shock. It was clear from the state of the place that it hadn’t been used for several years and there was evidence of vandalism. Most of the windows had been smashed and the remnants of a fire could be seen, which had badly damaged the back wall.
“Look at the potential Seb not the mess, the space is abundant.”
Seb nodded and looked curious as Davy passed him a large plastic folder. Inside were plans for a complete refurbishment. Seb had tears in his eyes as he looked at the state of the art layout.
Throwing his arms around Davy’s neck he hugged him and kept repeating the words, “Thank you so much, I love you!”
“Calm down Seb,” joked Davy “so can I take it you like what the architect has drawn?”
“Oh it’s wonderful and without a doubt it would be one of the best dance schools in London, but it must be costing a fortune. I would never be able to repay you.”
“Oh I’m sure I can come up with some way you can repay me.”
They kissed passionately and Seb started to fondle him; it was obvious he wanted sex. Davy told him to stop as someone might see them. Taking him by the hand, Seb led him to a small room at the rear of the building. Once confident that no one could see them, Seb went down on his knees and began undoing Davy’s fly. Davy leaned against the wall as Seb took him in his mouth, grabbing and pulling at his hair as he came. It was as they finished, they heard a noise outside. Unbeknown to them, a group of kids had been watching through a broken window. Davy walked towards the window to investigate, the kids ran away shouting, “Perverts, cock sucking queers!” Davy picked up a lump of concrete and hurled it at them, just missing one small lad by inches.
On the drive back to the house, Davy spoke again about Seb moving in with him. It was obvious to Seb that he was becoming impatient. Although there was no doubt that they were in love, Seb had been reluctant to make a total commitment to him, simply because he knew with Davy it would be all or nothing. Davy would own him and if things went wrong it would be difficult for him to break from the relationship. He was also aware of Davy’s violent temperament, having witnessed it with other people on several occasions. Despite all this, he loved him and there was no doubt that Davy would provide very nicely for him.
“Actually Davy, I think it’s a good idea for me to move in now.”
Davy glanced briefly at him and smiled before he said, “Great.”
When Carl had been abducted he had wanted to die, he never thought he would meet anyone who would have the effect on him Carl had. Then by chance he’d met Seb one night at his club, the attraction had been mutual. Carl had been the strength behind him; his disappearance had devastated Davy. No one had really known the depth of their feelings, especially as he couldn’t tell his granddad or anyone close that they were lovers. It would be different with Seb; they could sleep together every night in the same bed. Of course Davy would need to maintain his tough ruthless image outside of the house. Since his granddad’s death, he had never been seen publicly with a woman, most people close to him knew he was gay, but he didn’t flaunt it. Even though more often than not; Seb would accompany him.
Forty minutes later as they pulled up at the house, Davy noticed that Danny’s car wasn’t there. Grinning at Seb he said they had the house to themselves, so Seb could thank him properly.
They had only been inside a few minutes when Davy led him to the bedroom. Once secure in the privacy of the room, they kissed and fondled each other as they frantically undressed. Without any foreplay, Davy threw him across the bed and thrust himself into him, Seb groaned with the ferocity of it. Davy told him he’d wanted to fuck him at the warehouse, but it was worth the wait. When Davy had finished he gav
e Seb a blow job. Both satisfied with their lovemaking, they lay together on the bed. Seb lay with his head on Davy’s chest.
“First thing Monday morning I’ll send a removal truck round to your flat to collect your things Seb. Then Monday evening I’m taking you to the theatre and a meal to celebrate. I’ll instruct the builders to start work immediately on the dance studio.”
“Can I ask you something Davy? Do you love me?”
“Why would you ask me that, I bought you a studio didn’t I?”
“You’re the only man I’ve lived with Davy and I always believed when two people make that commitment it’s because they love each other.”
“Love is cruel Sebastian, sometimes people are afraid to love because they end up with a broken heart.”
Seb looked lovingly at him, although he loved him, he was well aware that he was ruthless in his professional life. He knew little about his private life, including past lovers.
“I won’t break your heart Davy, but I think someone else did.”
“I was in love once, he was everything to me, but my granddad would never have approved. When he found out he had my lover murdered, since then I’ve tried to steer clear of love, but then I met you. I tried hard not to fall in love with you, but I did, so now you know.”
Propping himself up on his elbow, Seb looked down at him.
“Oh my God Davy that’s terrible about your lover, I never knew.”
“What’s done is done, I can’t change that anyway, now I’ve got you.”
“Yes and I love you, but I need you to look at me and tell me you love me.” Davy pulled him down and kissed him tenderly then looking right at him.
“I love you Sebastian Arnold.”
“And I you Davy.”
They talked about Carl and his granddad for over an hour.
“My family accepted that I was gay since I told them when I was seventeen, I want you to meet them Davy. I’ve already told them about you.”
Had it not been for Danny returning around half six they would have talked more. Danny looked less than thrilled when Davy told him Seb was moving in. He was even less impressed when Davy added Seb would be accompanying them to the club that night. Worse still was that Danny could keep Seb company while he attended the meeting with the Turk. The last thing Danny wanted was to have to baby sit a faggot ballet dancer, but as his boss had ordered it, he would go along with it.
CHAPTER 37
Mickey sat on the bed watching a DVD with Maria, having put the girls to bed an hour earlier. They were watching a comedy called, ‘Father of the Bride’ it wasn’t really his type of film, but he hoped it would cheer her up. She knew he was trying hard to please her. When the film finished they talked about the arrival of the triplets, the club in Maidstone and the prospect of Monica and her family moving to Kent. They were still talking when Billy returned at midnight. Maria told Mickey he should go downstairs and talk to him.
Making his way downstairs five minutes later, he found Billy making a drink in the kitchen.
“Alright Billy, did you have a good day?”
“Yeah I had a great day with Kev; we met up with Jacky Boy and a couple of others for a few games of pool.”
Mickey could tell that he was missing home.
“Sounds like you’ve had a good time. I know you miss London Billy. Truth is I would have been happy to send you back now, but it’s Maria.”
“No worries Mickey, anyway if that club in Maidstone comes to anything I’ll have to live here. Don’t worry about Maria not wanting to let me go I have this problem with the ladies all the time Mick!”
“I’m sure you do, but once the babies are here, I think she’ll be able to live without you.”
“Don’t bet on it Mick, women have been known to do strange things in my absence.”
“I’ll bear that in mind, but seriously mate, I do appreciate all that you’ve done. We’ll all miss you when you do go, especially the twins, which brings me to say, if this club in Maidstone does happen, you would be more than welcome to live here while you get sorted and find a place. I know I speak for Maria as well.”
“Cheers Mickey I appreciate that, as for the twins, I’d miss them like crazy. In fact, I’d miss everyone. It’s funny really when you said about me coming down here, truth was I didn’t really know what to expect, but I’ve really felt like part of this family and if I’m honest, I wouldn’t want to go before the babies are born, I’d feel happier staying.”
“Good then pour us a drink while I let Rosie out. I think mum and dad let her out before they went to bed about around eleven, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.”
They had another drink and then Billy said he was going to bed.
Thinking that Maria would be asleep, Mickey carefully got into bed, only to hear her say, “Did Billy have a good time in London?”
Placing his arm across her and kissing her cheek he said it sounded like he’d had a great time. Then he told her what Billy had said about the family and wanting to stay ‘til after the babies were born. She seemed happy with that, which he was grateful for as it was only nine days left before she would be going into hospital and everyone in the house could sense that she was becoming more and more agitated at the prospect. She was nervous about having a caesarean and fearful that Mickey wouldn’t be allowed in with her.
Monica had driven down twice that week just to try and keep her calm, but the whole bed rest thing was taking its toll. Her last blood pressure check with the midwife had caused concern as it had risen. Julie had said that if it went up again during the next few days, they would probably admit her early.
Gladys had told Maria to drink herbal tea when she had spoken to her over the phone and although Maria had been less than enthusiastic at the time, she had decided to try it. She was surprised how much she liked the taste and Gladys was right, it did seem to have a calming effect. So much so that at Julie’s next visit, her blood pressure had come down slightly; although it was still considered high, it was better. Maria was convinced it was the tea. Mickey however was convinced that it was because she had been occupied with friends, but he went along with the tea theory.
With the days now flying by Mickey postponed visiting the club in Maidstone with George and the others that weekend, deciding to leave it until after the birth. He had invited them down the coming week. Originally he asked them to come on the Monday, but that was the day George and Monica were officially adopting the boys. The court date was originally scheduled for the end of February, but due to red tape which Mickey often referred to as legal bullshit, it had been postponed ‘til the sixteenth of March.
Maria had repeatedly asked him if he was sure the adoption would go through, but no matter how many times he assured her that it would, he knew she wasn’t convinced. No one was more relieved than him when at quarter to four on the afternoon of the sixteenth Monica rang to confirm that they were now the proud parents of the boys. Maria along with everyone was thrilled for them; she had wanted to hear all the details. Unfortunately when they spoke on the phone, Monica said she’d have to tell her all about it when she visited the following day as George was taking them out for dinner to celebrate.
Maria giggled when she’d asked where George was taking them and Monica had replied “MacDonald’s where else!”
Tuesday morning arrived literally with a bang; after the lights had blown a fuse knocking out all the power to the house. Fortunately Mickey found a local electrician who arrived thirty minutes after he called. He was a friend of Sarah’s dad. Mickey and Billy had left him working while they took the twins to school.
Mary and Den were getting ready for Monica and her family to arrive when the men returned. Mickey was relieved to hear that the electrics had been sorted out. When he paid the bill, he noticed the bloke seemed well chuffed when he gave him an extra twenty quid. After seeing the bloke out, he went upstairs to check on Maria. It was as he entered the bedroom and looked at her sitting up in the bed, he thought sh
e looked pale. Sitting down next to her he asked if she was ok.
“No, I’ve got this nagging pain in my back, no matter how I try and lay, it’s uncomfortable.”
“Do you want me to call the doc?”
“No,” she giggled “you try lying in bed day after day and see how your back feels.”
“I know babe, but not long now, just a couple of days that’s all.”
They sat talking until Monica arrived.
They had brought the boys with them; Monica had called the school to say that Harry was feeling unwell.
“Our first day as parents Maria and already I’m lying to the school!”
“I’m sure one day won’t affect their education too much,” giggled Maria.
“That’s what I thought, the boys knew they were coming down and Harry desperately wanted to see his pony.”
“We’re happy you’re all here and the girls will be thrilled when they come home from school.”
Mickey had gone back downstairs with George, while Monica and the boys kept her company. While Monica talked about the adoption, she noticed that every few minutes Maria winced as though she had a pain. Monica asked if everything was ok.
“Yes, it’s just a pain in my back, it’s probably fear of going into hospital tomorrow.”
“It must be exciting as much as worrying knowing that tomorrow you’ll have three new babies.”
“I think terrifying would be more apt!”
They both laughed.
Before they knew it was lunch time. Mickey and George had taken the boys with them to pick the twins up from school. When they returned, Maria asked if the kids could have lunch with her and Monica upstairs. Mickey said he would have it sent up.
After lunch, the two men offered to take the kids to the stables. Mary joined the ladies in the bedroom. Handing Monica two gift bags for the boys she said it was an adoption gift. Maria also handed her an envelope from the bedside cabinet, it was a voucher for several attractions in London, which they thought the boys might enjoy, especially with the Easter school holidays looming. Monica thanked them; she knew the boys would be thrilled.